Complex approach that promotes optimal nutrition, respects local beliefs, involves healthcare reforms, targets poverty and exclusion, prioritizes well-being of women, adolescent girls and children is crucial to eliminate anaemia worldwide. @gavin-knight.bsky.social

Interventions to target anaemia within population include preventing early marriage and onset of childbearing, promoting diverse nutrient rich diet, iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS), promoting water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), providing access to safe blood products and transfusions.

For every US dollar invested into fighting anaemia, 12 US dollars of economic return could be produced, according to World Health Organization.

Climate change brings negative changes to economy and ecology, which can lead to reduced clean water and quality food supply, disrupts access to healthcare, it also raises temperatures, increasing the rate of infectious diseases spreading, all contributing to worsening of global anaemia.

Developing countries are found to be more affected by anaemia, because of poverty, malnutrition, lack of education, poor hygiene and infections, such as malaria or HIV, Infections in particular cause depletion of body iron stores, contributing to iron deficiency and causing anaemia.

Anaemic patient will appear pale, chronically tired, short of breath. Complications can include often occurring infections, developmental delays and cognitive symptoms, all decreasing quality of life, some leading to increased morbidity, other causing death.

When lacking those nutrients, RBCs are not formed well. They come in different sizes, colours and shapes. Wrong shape means cells get stuck in blood vessels and can no longer reach the body tissues, cutting the oxygen supply off, leading to hypoxia, causing different symptoms and complications.

Some nutrients are needed for erythrocytes to function. Iron is part of haemoglobin, protein that allows oxygen to bind and be carried around. Folate, found in fresh fruit and vegetables, vitamin B12, found in red meat, dairy and eggs. Both play a role in DNA synthesis, essential for cells to live.

Certain groups are affected by anaemia more than others. Children, as they need iron for growth, 269 mil affected according to WHO. Non-pregnant women of childbearing age, due to losing blood and iron within during menstruation. Pregnant women, as they can lose blood before and after child birth.